Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world. Today, 95% of people in Thailand are Buddhist. Tenzin Gyatso, a prominent figure in the world today, is the Dalai Lama, or highest leader in the Buddhist religion.
History of Buddhism
Founder- Buddhism was founded by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama from India. Gautama, after realizing how much pain and suffering their was in the world, gave up his palace, riches, servants, and even his wife and child to learn the meaning of pain and suffering. One day, while meditating, he became enlightened. He then became known as Buddha, which literally means enlightened one. From this enlightenment Buddhism was born. Buddhism began around 580 B.C.
Main Beliefs
One of Buddhism's main beliefs is that of reincarnation. Reincarnation is the belief that after death, you return to earthly life in a higher or lower position determined by your deeds in your past life. For example, if you were a slave in your past life, but you followed the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path very well, you could be moved up to an ordinary person or even your slave master.
According to Buddhists traditions, the faith is centered on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality.
They believe this world was not created by a god.
God(s)
On the topic of gods, some Buddhists believe in them while others do not. Believing in gods is not required by the religion, but it is recommended not to. The Buddhists who do believe in gods believe they are mortal, yet they still live for a long time. Here is a list of some of the main Buddhist gods and goddesses:
Green Tara- Mother of all Buddhas and Mother of all Compassion
Medicine Buddha- the Buddha of Healing
Maitreya- The Future Buddha
Manjushri- The Bodhisaltva of Wisdom
Vajrasaltva- The Bodhisaltva of Purification
Sacred Writings
There are a vast number of Buddhist texts, which are commonly divided into canonical and non-canonical. The Sutras is a major collection of writings, which are believed to be the actual words of Buddha. The Tripitaka is just as important as the Sutras; it is the earliest collection of Buddhist teaching, and more commentaries have been added over the centuries. There is also a book important to reincarnation, The Tibetan Book of the Dead. It was written by a Tibetan monk describing the stages of death from the Tibetan view. It includes chronicles and experiences that a person encounters at different stages (while dying, moment of death, nine days between death and rebirth, and rebirth).
*Note: Zen Buddhists reject scriptures; ineffective path to enlightenment
Practices
As part of their practice, most Buddhists have a small shrine in their homes to honor Buddha. Buddhist communities usually have large temples to honor Buddhists gods as well. Most Buddhists follow 3 trainings or practices:
*Samadhi- concentration, meditation, mental development
developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom
mental development strengthens, controls our mind, and helps us maintain good conduct
*Sila- virtue, good conduct morality 2 fundamental principles:
principle of equality-- that all living things are equal
principle of reciprocity-- to do onto others as you would wish them to do onto you
*Prajna- discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment (real heart of Buddhism). Wisdom emerges if your mind is pure and calm.
enlightenment- it can be defined as the full realization of the truth of Buddha's teachings
Festivals/ Holidays
Vesak- Buddha's birthday; it celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha on the first full moon in May
Festival of the Tooth- in the city of candy (imaginary), a great temple was built to house a relic of Buddha; his tooth. It can never be seen, but once a year in August on the night of the full moon, there is a special procession for it.
Elephant Festival- the Buddha used the example of the wild elephant, which when is caught is harnessed to a tame one. In the same way, he said a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship with an older Buddhist. This festival is held on the third Saturday in November.
Symbols
Eight- Spoked Wheel: represents Buddha turning of the Wheel of Truth or Law Bodhi Tree: represents the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment Footprints: represent the physical presence of the Enlightened One
All this you have just read are the key pieces of Buddhism. Please refer to the other parts of my group to learn about Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
Buddhism
Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world. Today, 95% of people in Thailand are Buddhist. Tenzin Gyatso, a prominent figure in the world today, is the Dalai Lama, or highest leader in the Buddhist religion.
History of Buddhism
Founder- Buddhism was founded by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama from India. Gautama, after realizing how much pain and suffering their was in the world, gave up his palace, riches, servants, and even his wife and child to learn the meaning of pain and suffering. One day, while meditating, he became enlightened. He then became known as Buddha, which literally means enlightened one. From this enlightenment Buddhism was born. Buddhism began around 580 B.C.
Main Beliefs
God(s)
On the topic of gods, some Buddhists believe in them while others do not. Believing in gods is not required by the religion, but it is recommended not to. The Buddhists who do believe in gods believe they are mortal, yet they still live for a long time. Here is a list of some of the main Buddhist gods and goddesses:
Sacred Writings
There are a vast number of Buddhist texts, which are commonly divided into canonical and non-canonical. The Sutras is a major collection of writings, which are believed to be the actual words of Buddha. The Tripitaka is just as important as the Sutras; it is the earliest collection of Buddhist teaching, and more commentaries have been added over the centuries. There is also a book important to reincarnation, The Tibetan Book of the Dead. It was written by a Tibetan monk describing the stages of death from the Tibetan view. It includes chronicles and experiences that a person encounters at different stages (while dying, moment of death, nine days between death and rebirth, and rebirth).
*Note: Zen Buddhists reject scriptures; ineffective path to enlightenment
Practices
As part of their practice, most Buddhists have a small shrine in their homes to honor Buddha. Buddhist communities usually have large temples to honor Buddhists gods as well. Most Buddhists follow 3 trainings or practices:
*Samadhi- concentration, meditation, mental development
*Sila- virtue, good conduct morality 2 fundamental principles:
*Prajna- discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment (real heart of Buddhism). Wisdom emerges if your mind is pure and calm.
enlightenment- it can be defined as the full realization of the truth of Buddha's teachings
Festivals/ Holidays
Symbols
Eight- Spoked Wheel: represents Buddha turning of the Wheel of Truth or Law
Bodhi Tree: represents the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment
Footprints: represent the physical presence of the Enlightened One
All this you have just read are the key pieces of Buddhism. Please refer to the other parts of my group to learn about Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.